Jennifer Batten

Jennifer Batten is an electric guitar virtuoso recognized for her extensive session work and solo career, including prominent roles as lead guitarist for Michael Jackson and Jeff Beck. After being selected as Michael Jackson’s lead guitarist from over 100 applicants in 1987, Jennifer Batten went on to tour with Jackson on his monumental ‘Bad’ (1987–1989), ‘Dangerous’ (1992), and ‘HIStory’ (1996–1997) world tours, performing for millions of fans across the globe. Her iconic performance with Jackson at the 1993 Super Bowl halftime show reached an audience of over 1.5 billion viewers across 80 countries. Prior to this breakthrough, Batten made her mark at the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) in Los Angeles, becoming the first woman to graduate from the institution in 1979 and later serving as its first female instructor.

She honed her distinctive two-handed tapping technique during this period. Her debut solo album, ‘Above, Below and Beyond’, premiered in 1992, showcasing her versatile instrumental rock and jazz fusion style. Building on her global recognition, Batten joined the touring band of her idol, Jeff Beck, for three years from 1998, a significant collaboration that saw her contribute to his albums ‘Who Else!’ (1999) and ‘You Had It Coming’ (2001). This marked an unprecedented collaboration as Batten was Beck’s first female instrumentalist in a three-decade period, further cementing her status as a guitar virtuoso.

Jennifer Batten continues to actively tour, conduct workshops globally, and perform with her cover band, Jennifer Batten and Full Steam. Looking ahead, she is slated to co-host the 2025 She Rocks Awards, underscoring her ongoing prominence and respected voice within the music industry.